Manufactured by
N.G. Slater Corporation, American, founded 1936
Subject of
Columbia University, American, founded 1754
African National Congress, South African, founded 1912
Date
1985
Medium
metal, ink on paper, plastic laminate
Dimensions
H x W x D: 1 1/2 x 1/4 in. (3.8 x 0.6 cm)
Caption
In April of 1985, a group organized by the Coalition for a Free South Africa (CFSA) at Columbia University staged a protest to force Columbia to divest fully from corporations operating in South Africa as a response to the injustice of apartheid. Trustees of the university convened several months later and adopted the recommendations of the students, officially divesting the University's investments with South African connections.
Description
A striped pinback button protesting Columbia University's involvement in South African companies. The background colors, black, green, and yellow, are those of the African National Congress flag. Red text on the button reads: [APARTHEID / KILLS! / DIVEST NOW! / Columbia / OUT OF / S. AFRICA]. The manufacturer's mark appears on both the top and bottom of the button. There is a small stain on the bottom rim of the button with scratches and some etching on the metal back plate. The back of the button has a metal fastener and clasp.
Place depicted
South Africa, Africa
Columbia University, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Memorabilia and Ephemera - Other
Movement
Pan Africanism
Anti-apartheid movements
Type
buttons (information artifacts)
Topic
Africa
Communication
Decolonization
International affairs
Justice
Politics
Race discrimination
U.S. History, 1969-2001
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2011.178.2
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5e19ce3da-74c1-4d7d-9a1d-30217c6cf6f3

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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